Two Men Found Guilty of Shootings During an Armed Burglary
In Southeast Washington Last Thanksgiving Eve
- Attack Wounded a Man, Terrorized His Family -

     WASHINGTON - Robert Hagood, 33, also known as “Boo,” and Marquet Bryant, 29, also known as “Q,” have been convicted by a jury of charges stemming from two separate shootings inside a family’s apartment in Southeast Washington that took place on the night before Thanksgiving last year, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Hagood and Bryant, of Washington, D.C., were convicted November 10, 2011 following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The jury found them guilty of attempted first degree armed burglary, assault with a dangerous weapon and other related crimes. The Honorable Florence Pan scheduled sentencing for January 27, 2012. Both men face a statutory maximum term of 30 years imprisonment for the armed offenses.

     According to the government’s evidence, on November 24, 2010 at about 9:40 p.m., Hagood, Bryant and other men were outside an apartment complex in the 300 block of Anacostia Road SE. Hagood began an altercation with a neighbor who was entering the building.

     Bryant handed Hagood a loaded .357 Magnum revolver, and Hagood then followed the victim into his residence by barging his way in through the door. The victim and members of his family were shocked at Hagood’s intrusion, but managed to force him out the door. Seconds later, however, Hagood shot through the door and injured the man.

     The family called 911 and waited for the police. As they waited, Hagood and Bryant returned and forced their way into the residence again, creating a chaotic scene and frightening the family yet again. A struggle ensued, and Bryant, now armed with the revolver Hagood had minutes before, fired a bullet into the ceiling just outside the apartment. Both men fled the scene.

     The two defendants lived in apartments above the one they had just intruded and several witnesses showed the police where they lived. Both men were later arrested.

     In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), especially Detective Laura Aceto, Sergeant Brett Parson, Officers Kurt Hansen, Jordan Katz, and MPD Mobile Crime Officer Salome Wilson. Mr. Machen additionally praised the exemplary efforts of Paralegals Tony Griffith and Antoinette Sakamsa and James Brennan and M. LaVerne Forrest of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit. Finally, he recognized the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ephraim (Fry) Wernick, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

11-501

###